I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project: Environmental Study Findings Coming Early 2019

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 11/29/2018 10:51 AM PST

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Project Newsletter | November 29, 2018

Environmental Study Findings Coming Early 2019 - Stay Tuned!

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Over the past year, the Oregon Department of Transportation has been conducting an environmental study (known as an Environmental Assessment) of transportation changes proposed by the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. Environmental specialists are performing a technical analysis of the benefits and impacts of the project, and team members are continuing to gather community input. Once the study is complete (anticipate in late January 2019), ODOT will ask the public to review and comment on the study findings during a 30-day comment period.

 

About the Project

The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project was created by the local community, City of Portland and ODOT. It will improve both local streets and I-5 in the Rose Quarter area resulting in a more reliable, safer, more connected community that will keep everyone moving: people who walk, bike, drive or have disabilities, use local streets, take transit or use the highway.

 

What's included in the study?

EA

The environmental study describes why the project is being proposed and examines the project’s potential social, economic and environmental impacts including:
  • Transportation
  • Air Quality
  • Climate Change
  • Noise
  • Resources
  • Archeological
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Historic Resources
  • Land Use
  • Parks
  • Socioeconomics
  • Water Resource
  • Environmental Justice
  • Right of Way
  • Utilities

How can I review and provide feedback?

Comment

Once the findings are published as a formal document, ODOT will provide notice of the 30-day review and comment period. You can sign up to receive an email notification on the project website. Ways to review the document and share input will include:
Ways to review or comment on the Environmental Assessment

What is a formal “Environmental Assessment”?

Because the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project utilizes federal funding, it must follow the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. This process allows transportation officials to make project decisions that balance engineering and transportation needs with social, economic and natural environmental factors, such as noise, air quality and traffic patterns. During the process, a wide range of stakeholders, including the public, businesses, interest groups and agencies at all levels of government, provide input into project and environmental decisions.

 

The environmental study for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project is formally called an Environmental Assessment (EA). The intent is to ensure that the appropriate criteria and environmental factors are considered and made available for public input and comment during decision-making. The EA evaluates the benefits and impacts of two alternatives: one in which the project would move forward as planned, and one in which the project is not built. After the EA is formally submitted to FHWA, they will review it along with public comment prior to developing the NEPA decision document.

 

Download a factsheet about the environmental study process.
 
 

Learn more about the project and sign up for email updates at:

www.i5RoseQuarter.org

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